Philippines could hold joint exercises, patrol with Japan
YOKOHAMA -- President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday the Philippines could hold joint exercises and patrol with Japan within his country's territorial waters.
Duterte's willingness to allow joint exercises and patrol with Japan was in contradiction with his stance insofar as the United States is concerned.
He said he may review the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US and "ask them one of these days to leave the country."
Duterte admitted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought for a clarification regarding his pronouncements against the US.
Duterte said he explained to Abe his "sentiment" against Washington, which raised concern on the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects amid hid all-out war against illegal drugs.
"I told him (Abe) why I felt bad with America. Every time there's an issue, whatever, with the human rights, it's like we're a dog with a tie and when they throw a pan, the dog cannot reach it (because they pull the tie)," he said.
Asked if Abe tried to mediate between him and the US, he said no.
"To his eternal credit, (Prime) Minister Abe is a very courteous man," Duterte said.
Asked if the Philippines could have joint exercises with Japan, he said, "Yes. The joint exercise? Yes, of course."
Japan has committed to provide the Philippines two more large vessels, on top of the 10 multi-role response vessels now being built which could be used by the Philippine Coast Guard to patrol the country's waters.
The signing of the loan agreement for the two large ships, worth 16.455 billion yen, took place on Wednesday after Duterte's bilateral meeting with Abe. The Philippine president took a three-day official visit in Tokyo on Abe's invitation.
Japan also vowed to extend high-speed small vessels to the Philippines.
Duterte said the vessels to be provided by Japan would be used to patrol the Philippine territorial waters, "but not the sea itself."
He said even if the Philippines and Japan would conduct joint patrol, he did not see any problem, especially with China.
"I do not think that they would stop us, I mean China would stop us," he said.
"Japan (is) just going there and making a cruise. As a matter of fact, I also told them that they can go near my territorial water and park there if they want," he added.
The Philippines and Japan have been embroiled in territorial disputes with China.
But under the current administration, the tense row with China has apparently subsided, especially after Duterte's friendly remarks on Beijing and his recent trip there.
During his visit at the 3rd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters here, Duterte witnessed demonstrations of the Japanese Coast Guard maneuvering under two scenarios - going after the pirates and a rescue operation using a chopper.
Duterte said his visit to Japan was "very productive."
"His Excellency, the Prime Minister, we had almost four hours of talk time and it covered a wide range of issues that would affect both countries," he said.
The president said during his meeting with the Japanese counterpart, they also talked about his campaign against illegal drugs.
"They have a problem, every city in the world has a problem with drugs. They call it narcotics," he said.
Duterte and Abe, along with other guests during dinner, had a photo taken where they were all showing clenched fists, the president's trademark.
A businessman who was part of the Philippine delegation and happened to be close to Abe's special adviser, told reporters Duterte's meeting with Abe lasted for 72 minutes, even longer than the Japanese premier's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Celerina Monte/DMS
